Crystal confrontation

The next few days go by quickly. You spend your time training in your power, ordering new items as your skills expire. You make sure to order several shield stones, as that was by far the most useful of the powers you had. Along the way, you learn that if you’re touching Lynn, you can amp up the level of power the spells provide. However, it puts a strain on the little goblin, so you tell her to only do that in emergencies. Lynn, who has barely left your side lately, reluctantly agrees.

One day, you’re all lounging in the living room and just relaxing, when your phone lights up with a message.

“Come outside, Mr. Meyer. Bring your girls.”

You read it aloud, and a quiet falls over the room. In silent agreement, you stand and head out your front door, with everyone in tow. As you step outside, you see three men on your front lawn. One holds a large green gemstone, and all of them wear blue robes with little adornment. The one with the gem speaks.

“Glad to see we don’t need to break in this time. I am Dimitri, agent of the Lord Magus. I am tasked to bring you and the goblin to her. Will you come peacefully?”

Lynn hides herself behind you as Maya and Elys step up beside you. “I don’t think I will, no. Your last invite doesn’t fill me with a lot of goodwill, honestly. That was a nice door.”

“I didn’t think you would. I’m afraid I must insist. Mistress Kali will not take no for an answer. Do we need to be more forceful?”

You hear a snap beside you as Maya opens her wings menacingly, claws growing from her fingers. Elys grins, toying with the snakes in her hair as she stares at them hard. You shrug. “You can be as forceful as you want, but I think we’re past talking at this point...”

Dimitri lifts the gem in his hand, saying “Very well. **** it is.” And with that he crushes the gem. Glittering green dust scatters, then forms a cloud around him. As the cloud dissipates, Dimitri has changed. Instead of skin, he appears to be made of glowing green crystal now. Hands ending in long crystalline claws flex as he adopts a fighting stance. His two companions draw familiar stun batons, and all three begin stalking forward.

“Elys, Maya, take the normal guys down. I’ll handle Dimitri. Lynn, stay back. Anna, quickly, grab my new toy from the table and bring it, please.”

With that you lift your hand and raise your shield, planting your feet and preparing to fight. Just as well you did, because immediately a spray of crystals smash against the shield. Dimitri strides forward, one arm forming into a large blade which slams against your protection, causing a strain in your mind as you sustain the spell. Unleashing one of your new powers, you wave a hand and the earth rolls beneath him, knocking him back. You drop the shield for the moment and thrust both fists forward, sending two columns of earth at the crystal warrior.

You know that won’t hold for long, so you back away to think of another plan. Dimitri lifts his other arm and sends another spray of shards at you. You are barely able to dodge aside, but your concentration is broken and he’s freed from the earth. You concentrate on your only other combat usable power, holding your hands out towards him. You strain, attempting to paralyze him, but to no avail. His crystalline biology is too different to affect. You desperately throw up your shield to block his blade arm, grunting with effort as you block the repeated blows.

Just as you’re sure the shield will shatter under his ****, you feel a hand on your free arm. Glancing down, you see Lynn move to hug your waist. Immediately, your shield strengthens, though every blow upon it causes her to flinch and grimace with effort. You can see she can’t do this for long. However, from the steps of the house you hear Anna shouting, “Master! Catch!”

She throws you a small circlet, which you catch. Feeling Lynn struggling to keep your shield empowered, you concentrate on absorbing the new power. You stagger slightly, and you know that this is more than you should be using, but you have ****. Suddenly, you feel your shield burst, and Lynn falls limp at your feet. You shout a denial which turns to pain as the blade you were blocking slashes a deep cut into your arm. Staggering away, you draw Dimitri away from Lynn before activating your new power.

Your brain feels like it’s bursting from your skull, but the effects are immediate. Your skin turns a metallic grey, and your wound ceases bleeding. A sense of power fills you, and when the crystal blade descends again, you simply catch it in a metallic hand. Glaring at this intruder, you punch out and shatter the arm at the elbow.

Dimitri staggers back, mouth open in a soundless shout, and you leap forward. Grabbing him by the head, you’re dimly aware that you’re shouting as you squeeze as hard as you can.

There is the sound of shattering glass. Dropping your arms, you watch the now headless crystalline body drop to the ground. You turn and slowly walk back towards Lynn, laying unmoving on the grass. Your body reverts, easing the pressure on your brain, and you feel your arm start bleeding again. There’s something wet on your face, and you realize that your nose and ears are bleeding too. You drop to your knees beside Lynn as your vision begins to grey out, and you gently take her hand. As your vision fades, you’re aware of several people running up to you. You hear panicked shouting of your name as everything fades black.